Energy Access and Sustainable Development Focus at Off-Grid Renewables Conference

First International Conference on Renewable Energy for Healthcare follows IOREC

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 25 September 2018 – The central role of off-grid renewable energy in achieving universal energy access and sustainable development will be under the spotlight during the fourth edition of the International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IOREC). Registrations are now open for the two-day conference, organised in cooperation with the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), that will take place on October 31 – November 1, during the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW). IOREC is co-located with the Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES).

Dramatic cost reductions and technology improvements now make renewable technologies the most economic and reliable option for off-grid electrification. An estimated 133 million people are already benefiting from such decentralised energy solutions – with millions more potentially gaining energy access – further driving job creation and economic growth for people in rural communities across the world.

IRENA will gather global policy makers, civil society and private sector leaders in Singapore at the IOREC to accelerate the adoption of the off-grid renewable energy solutions proving to be key to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Off-grid renewable energy systems have transformed our ability to deliver secure, affordable electricity to rural communities all over the world, and are playing a vital role in breaking a cycle of energy poverty that has held back socio-economic progress for hundreds of millions of people,” said Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

“IOREC will showcase the extent to which flexible, renewables-based energy solutions have become a catalyst for entrepreneurship, job creation, livelihoods, women’s empowerment and improved healthcare across the world, and thus decisively contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” concluded Mr. Amin.

While there is tremendous momentum in the deployment of off-grid renewables, more than one billion people still live without electricity access today. Attendees will discuss best practice off-grid policies and regulations, together with innovations in technology, financing and delivery models for stand-alone and mini-grid systems. IRENA will also present updates to its analysis on mini-grid renewable energy policies as well as on technology innovation.

IOREC will take place alongside other high-level discussions during SIEW including the Association of South East Asian Nations Energy (ASEAN) Ministers Meeting, chaired by Singapore. IOREC will be followed by the First International Conference on Renewable Energy for Healthcare, organised by IRENA on November 2. The one-day conference will bring together representatives from across the energy and healthcare fields to forge partnerships and co-develop pathways to improve the provision of electricity to health centers through decentralised renewable energy.

It is estimated that one billion people are served by health facilities without electricity. Concerted action from both health and energy sector stakeholders is needed to address the issue. The conference will facilitate discussions on developing synergies at the policy and strategic levels, addressing financing challenges, examining the most suitable energy delivery models and exploring the opportunities created by improved energy access for modernising rural healthcare in low-income areas.